Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has explained that Max Verstappen's shocking five-tenths time loss to Lando Norris in qualifying at the Mexico City Grand Prix was ride height-related.
Verstappen failed to fight Norris for pole position and had to settle for a disappointing fifth on the grid, leaving the Dutchman with much to do at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Throughout the weekend, the Red Bull driver has complained of a lack of grip, while his RB21 appeared unsettled through the high-speed second sector.
Significant time was lost by the four-time world champion through the middle sector, leaving Marko concerned about the race.
"We did improve, but in sector two, we still lost two-tenths," Marko told Sky DE. "And that in relatively only two corners.
"That will be very difficult during the race. Tyre wear will be decisive."
Onboard footage during qualifying showed Verstappen had two moments in the middle sector, where his car suddenly snapped on him when changing direction.
It was clearly a handful to drive, however, Marko revealed after qualifying that Red Bull raised the height of Verstappen's car.
The Austrian explained that Verstappen's RB21 was higher than it should have been for the second sector, but that the set-up change was done with the race in mind.
Asked if there was a set-up compromise, Marko explained: "The height of the car is decisive, and in the second sector, we were maybe a little above the limit.
"But that's for the race: when the tanks are full and we drive slower through the corners, at least that should be fixed."
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